When purchasing a whole or side of beef, you pay $2.60 per pound hanging weight. Hanging weight is the weight of the meat after slaughter. Hanging weight of a whole steer is approximately 500 to 600 pounds and 250 to 300 lbs for a side. You also pay a processing fee to the USDA packaging plant. This fee varies depending on how much bone is removed and the type of wrap used. Fees are approximately $200 for a side and $400 for a whole beef.

If you choose to have most of the cuts without bone, the weight of the meat for your freezer will become significantly less than hanging weight.